7th October

Birding was very hard work today in a constant buffeting westerly wind and occasional hefty showers. That said, there was a surprisingly strong southbound passage of visible migrants that was apparent from dawn until well towards midday, with a sample 2¼ hour count at the Bill coming up with totals of 580 Linnets, 310 alba wagtails, 260 Meadow Pipits and 190 Goldfinches. New arrivals on the ground looked to be very few and far between: a Short-eared Owl at Ferrybridge was of note, but interest was otherwise restricted to lingers, including the Rose-coloured Starling at Reap Lane, the Black Guillemot off Portland Castle and 2 Firecrests at the Obs. Despite the conditions sea passage was almost entirely non-existent.